Adebayo was waiting for them in front of the house as they drove onto the large curved driveway. He was wearing costly jeans and a brand-name T-shirt. Sunny rolled her eyes; he didn’t normally dress so flashily. And the neighborhood must be incredibly safe. Sunny couldn’t remember seeing this type of home that was not surrounded by a concrete gate.

Adebayo and Chukwu hugged and slapped hands. Then Chukwu introduced his friend to Sasha and Orlu. When he came to Chichi and Sunny, the smile on Adebayo’s face wavered. His whole demeanor was false. How much did Adebayo understand about Sunny and Chichi’s involvement in the destruction of his confraternity? Was that understanding conscious or subconscious? Judging by the way he quickly turned his back on them both, he recalled something. Sunny was glad. It would be a long time before she forgave him for introducing her brother to the Red Sharks and slapping him in the face that night, if she ever did.

“Welcome. Come in,” Adebayo said, putting his arm around Chukwu’s shoulder. “Let me show you everything.”

The house was enormous. There were two kitchens, one for the mistress and master of the house and one for the house girls. Both had fully stocked and functioning refrigerators, cabinets, and cupboards, and both were used mainly by the house help, all of whom had traveled home to visit relatives until January second.

“And even then,” Adebayo said as he gave them the full tour, “my aunt and uncle won’t be back from London until the sixth.”

The mansion had ten bedrooms, so they all had their pick of rooms. Sunny chose one on the third floor with a small balcony. It had a thick sliding glass door and a heavy-duty lock that she tested before choosing the room. It was a bit dusty and smelled as if it hadn’t been occupied in some time, despite the gorgeous satin sheets, dreamlike bed with a canopy, and soft luxurious deep-blue rug. This wasn’t surprising since only Adebayo’s aunt and uncle lived here. Their children were at university overseas and the house help stayed in the small house out back.

“So wasteful, isn’t it?” Chichi asked, coming in.

Sunny had put her things on the small plush lavender couch beside her bed and plopped onto the cool sheets. She sighed and grinned at Chichi, who rolled her eyes and sat on the floor. “I am so hungry.”

“Me too,” Chichi said. “I’ll bet there’s a whole market in all five of the refrigerators in the house.”

“There are only two fridges.”

“Same thing.”

There was a knock on her door. “Come in,” Sunny said.

Orlu had taken his shoes off and put on a fresh T-shirt. “I’m in the room across the hall,” he said. “After your bat incident, it’s probably best if I stay close.”

“She can take care of herself,” Chichi said. “And she’s got me. I’m next door.”

Orlu grunted, sitting on the couch.

Chichi smirked and pointed at the door. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two . . .”